A Last Wish

Rachel Jones knew she was where she wanted to be when she secured an internship with a Wish with Wings.

"I fell in love with this organization the moment I walked in the door, and then after my first semester as an intern, it felt like home, like where I belonged and where I could make a difference in lives of the special children I wanted to work with," Jones says.

She's now the Wish Coordinator for the program, a job that opened up just as she was graduating from Texas Woman's University with a major in Child Development/Child Life.

"Rachel brings all the right qualities for working with our children and families," says Executive Director Judy Youngs. "With her background in child development and child life, she has a keen understanding of the unique needs, desires, possible fears and worries which our wish children face."

The organization turned 30 last year. It began when founder Pat Skaggs read a newspaper article about a child in Arkansas with a brain tumor whose wish was to go to Six Flags and have a "real Mexican food meal." There were no similar programs in Texas when Skaggs and others launched the Fort Worth-based operation.

"During our 30th anniversary year, we were able to grant 52 Magical Wishes, more wishes than ever before," Youngs said.

One especially stands out in Jones" mind from her first official week as Wish Coordinator. It was an emergency request for an 18-year-old young man named Byron. He had multiple inoperable, untreatable tumors.

"Byron was one of the most humble, gentle young men I have ever met," Jones said. "Byron knew he was going to pass away soon, and he could've asked for anything, but his request was simple. His only wish was for an XBox 360, so he could play with his brother and his friends for the remainder of his time at home. Before we left his home that day, he asked, "Will you be able to grant my wish before I die?" "

A Wish with Wings did that and more. Within a few days, the organization delivered the Xbox 360, a number of games, extra controllers, a 51-inch plasma screen TV, a Blu-ray player and a mini-fridge stocked with his favorite drinks and snacks, "so he could have the ultimate "man room" for the full gaming experience," Jones said. Ed Kellum & Sons delivered and set up the equipment.

Byron loved Domino's Hawaiian pizza and a local franchise owner brought pizza for lunch and also offered Dallas Mavericks tickets to Byron for him and his friends to the game where the Mavericks were getting their championship rings.

"Sadly, Byron passed away at his home only five days later and wasn't able to attend the game," Jones said. "His brother told us that he smiled and had so much joy in those last five days, although his body was failing him."

The experience stands out for her not only because it occurred during her first week but also because of how quick the community was to respond to the need. "There is so much goodness in people; they just need the opportunity to share it with the world," she said. "They are just waiting to be asked."